A Message from the Principal

“And we’ve always said that at Notre Dame, we do more than talk the talk—we walk the walk.”

Fall 2020

Dear Alumnae, Families and Friends,

Greetings from a newly re-opened Notre Dame School of Manhattan! We are so happy to be back together in person, albeit with a hybrid learning model and staggered attendance, but here we are sharing space again (socially distanced, of course). It is challenging, exciting, demanding, and WONDERFUL to be back.

The spirit of ND, starting right with our founder Anne de Xainctonge all those centuries ago, is one of courage, care, and pluckiness. As you will read about in this issue of Encore Chez Nous, we are a school shaped by action-oriented women. When we talk about our principles, our service, our faith, we are always talking about our beliefs, but also our deeds. What do we do, how do we act every day to showcase and share our values? You’ll read about many fine examples of this kind of transformative action in the articles of this edition.

Every day, in the halls of our school, in our classrooms (whether they are conducted in person or via Zoom), I see evidence of our vibrant approach. It’s there when our faculty gamely learns yet another technology-related skill that will help us reach our students better. It’s there when our students find ways to give voice to and demand change regarding some of the most pressing issues of our day—climate change, racial injustice, gun violence, inhumane immigration policies, and entrenched sexism. It’s there when our parents share opportunities and information that benefit all students, not just their own children. It’s there when our student athletes take the field for practice, observing health and safety precautions, but still running and playing their hearts out. It’s there when our alumnae find ways to get back in touch with their alma mater to lend moral and fiscal support. We all have an active part to play. And we’ve always said that at Notre Dame, we do more than talk the talk—we walk the walk.

Thank you for being on this journey with us, for helping us meet the challenges of today, and plan for the needed actions of tomorrow. We couldn’t do it without you, and we are ever so thankful.

Gratefully,

Jaclyn Brilliant Principal